Cold.

Hello, isn't it freezing? I don't know about the rest of you, but this cold weather suits me, because it it conducive to one of the best things ever- The magic that is Cosiness. I've been embracing crocheted rugs, red wine, heaters, carbs, faux fur outfit arrangements, cashmere jumpers, whiskey and other Cosy-Enhancing-Products like No One's Business. The last time I was this chilly I was traipsing round the Swinbrook churchyard at the end of last year in the Cotswolds searching for the Mitford sister's graves. I give you exhibit A:
I was so envious of the Blogger known as Blighty that day because she was wearing a super cosy padded coat arrangement that kept her warm as toast. Look:

I dropped my sister to her school reunion this morning and stayed for the mass. Everyone looked so glamorous and happy. The priest gave a lovely sermon all about not being judgemental and how we should action kindness. There's something in that for all of us really.

It's funny how the words to your school songs magically can be remembered decades on.

Moths Look Away Now!

Because I'm wearing as much cashmere as I can get my mitts on.

Yesterday I attended a Coalface Function. All the Big Names were there- Zsa Zsa, Mark.. It was a lot of fun and fantastic to see all the Coalminers again. They are a very entertaining bunch and I laughed a lot.

Behold the magnificence of the Sky last night:

Today the Sky's not covering itself in glory and is a bit sulky and huffy

My Grandfather's given us some of Grandma's china. I'm going to treasure it forever.

You know how I love a baby in a cardigan?

Well prepare yourselves emotionally for what you are about to see.

Look what Mr FF's sister has crocheted for our Baby:

I know. It's beautiful. I love it to bits. Handmade stuff is the Best. Thank you M!

Meanwhile we had a very tense few hours here the other day because a very special member of the FF Family- the Wonder the is Sleep Sheep (you know, the sheep that makes ocean or rain or heartbeat sounds) went on the Blink. I know. I was Scared too.

Luckily my Grandfather had a minature screwdriver tiny enough to prise open Sleep Sheep's plastic control apparatus and replace the batteries.

Order was then Restored. And certain people could get on with the Business of Sleeping.

Righto. I'm off to see what Our Kate's Up to. Her hair always looks so nice.

Stay Warm.

xxxxxx

EDITED to ADD - I've added 3 new blogs to my blog roll- Fifi, A Farmer's Wife, and The Distressed Mother will amuse you no end. Enjoy.

The FF Administration

Hello. This is one of Grandma's roses. It's perfect.

I wore this cashmere twinset arrangement to work at the Coalface today with a Fendi scarf. My boss is away for the week so today heralded the start of the FF Administration at the Coalface. It'll be just like the Kennedy Adminstration (Glamorous. Nice Outfits. Superior Hair) but without the bad stuff like the Bay of Pigs Fiasco and the Cuban Missile Crisis. It'll hopefully end on cheerier terms too.
I used my power to action some Important Things like arranging a group morning tea tomorrow with our $12 lotto winnings and scheduling a team lunch for Thursday.
Here's some more comforting pink products:
who doesn't love 8 ply cleckheaton pink wool? I am old enough to remember the Click Clack Cleckheaton ad from the 1980s.
And during my reign, I mean tenure, as Coalface Team Leader I will use only these attractive pink post it notes to tab pages:
These pink fabric peonies are pretty soothing. Plus they're handy to wack on an otherwise plain cake to gussie it up and make it look Special. They're from VV Rouleaux in London.
and whose heart rate doesn't lower just looking at this magnificent Careltonware cruet set? Why does no one use cruets anymore I wonder? I used to collect Careltonware. But those days are over. The doggy's Wade. I used to collect that too once.

The grief and sadness have manifested themselves in horrible and shocking ways.

My polish is chipped and my nail broke.

I don't know who I am anymore.

but don't panic. I'm going to sort this out tonight.

Has anyone read this book?

The prenise is that to end suffering you have to stop wanting. Oh, and you have to not depend on anything outside your control to make you happy. It's a memoir about a lady (self proclaimed WASP who grew up amid privilege) whose husband tells her he doesn't love her and is mean to her, stays out all night, won't return calls etc but she really wants it to work out so she gives him his freedom to grow and find his true self and she never screams or yells at him. She is very disciplined and asks no questions. If you've read it tell me your thoughts. I found it interesting.

I'm not the only one with new sunglasses.

Look at Nephew FF:

'cept his are like baby frogs and mine are Pucci.

and look at Niece FF's new chair!!!!! It's Liberty I think from Target in the UK. Why does Australian Target never have these excellent things?

Niece FF also took this excellent photo:

Is there no end to her talents?

Don't forget to watch Q and A tonight.

xxx

edited to add Blogger failed me and ate a lot of comments I published (including one of my favourites ever from someone called Paddy about Petite Anglais and how "I show parts of my life but reveal nothing" on this blog.) Let's hope Blogger stops nonperforming pronto

Miscellaneous FF Stuff

Got my mitts on a new leopard pale pink scarf. Think I sourced it from Kmart, but it may've been Big W. It's a Sportsgirl top and a Witchery faux fur jacket arrangement.
I do like a sparkly sequin arrangement. That Carolina Herrara bangle's been good to me.
I've got OPI's Susie Skis in the Pyrenees on my paws. Thankyou to the lovely Slim Paley for asking me if I'm a hand model!!! So much nicer to read this than the comments telling me my hands are ugly and old.
On Friday, I maintained tradition and met with my Lunch People (every Friday since 1994. I know. It's Impressive).

Say what you will about me I know how to action a Hair Flip.

I went to the new Siana on Friday night. It has a very different feel to the city one.

The sky was lovely. Maybe because it's so freezing.

I went to a tennis afternoon today at the Gs. I watched. I didn't play. I wish I'd taken photos of the afternoon tea. It was very nice.

Behold my city.

I wore this top thingamy from Club Monaco in Hong Kong. The cardy is old. It was from Valley Girl and cost $10 and the scarf is from the Portmans outlet shoppe at DFO.

Behold the Magnificence of this Hair in Motion snap. It's kind of Visionary.

Do you hate the word "iconic"being used in a fashion sense? Me too. It's not only overused, it's often nonsensical.

Here are some more comforting pink products that I have lying about the traps:

I actioned this crochet rug in 2003. I use it to wrap myself in while I watch tv.

This is my dressing gown. Don't worry. I don't wear it outside the house.

This is a Nancy Mitford book. I love her writing. If you haven't read The Pursuit of Love you should buy it pronto. I visited her Parisian flat in 2008. It was in quite a chic location.

These Chanel pink boxes are pretty soothing on the eye.

and this pink jade bangle whatsy from Honkers is very comforting.

I think I bought it in 2007.

I saw I am Love with Tilda Swinton last week. It's a bit slow at first and a bit too long but the food and scenery and clothes and bags and homes are all divine. And the china for the dinner party is pretty exquisite too. It's a bit sad though. I give it 4 stars. Tilda speaks Italian and Russian very convincingly.

If my childhood next door neighbour Clare reads this Hello! I know I have some photos of you here somewhere!

Meanwhile I'm a bit sad and flat at the moment. 2 funerals in 2 weeks is all too much.

Stay warm.

Snippets of My Life.

This was me yesterday. I got the frock in Honkers in 2007 from Simple in Wanchai. The sales lady said things like "Big Size" and "Fat Size". It wasn't a shopping experience for the faint hearted.
and it's a Red Phoenix Little Bow Peep Necklace.

I made my sister measure how long Nephew FF is so I know how big to make his bunny rug. I think he's 65 cm. Mr FF says I'm using too much pink. He's probably right but Nephew FF does not conform to gender stereotypes. And he lives on the edge colour wise.

Vegetarians Look AWAY NOW!

Because it's 1955 in my home tonight. That means lamb chops, baby peas, grilled tomato, mashed potato and chutney.

I've been at my Aunt's. People send such lovely flowers when someone dies.

While I was with her the Universe directed me to action some foods that would freeze well and be comforting and soothing if she feels like eating.

are you thinking what I'm thinking? Getting a bit of a 1977 Retro Vibe?

while I was cooking I had a soothing scotch and dry (Cheers and Thankyou Uncle G for always maintaining a well stocked bar fridge!)

Behold the Magnificence of my 1977 style Beef Stroganoff! Some people have this with rice. They are crazy! Strog is much better with noodles.

Speaking of orange I've been thinking a lot about Falconware lately. Don't ask me why, I just have. I only have 2 pieces. This is from the 40s. I use it as a vase. I think I bought it from Lifeline. It's amazing what people give away.

If you shop at Liquorland there's 30% off red wine if you buy 6. I got 6 of these. So soothing in this freezing weather.

I meant to upload this earlier but I didn't so you can just see it last. I feel the rosemary is a very nice touch. If you really wanted a circa 1955 meal you'd eat your chops with a splash of worcestershire sauce and mint jelly.

Stay Warm.

xxxx